- Birth
Family Matters in Spain : a baby born in Spain needs a Spanish birth certificate (extracto de inscripción de nacinimiento), regardless of the nationality of its parents. You can register the baby at the registro civil, of the town where the birth took place and they will tell you what more you will have to do.
With this certificate you can then go to the consulate of your home country in Spain and report the birth.
- Death
When a death occurs in the family, it is always a trying time, but it should not be more difficult in Spain than in your home country.
It is always best to plan ahead by arranging your Spanish will, choosing a cemetery, contacting a funeral director, take out insurance and sharing all the arrangements with your partner and those close to you.
The doctor in the hospital, or the physician at your home will prepare the death certificate, which must be officially issued by a Spanish judge. As in most other countries the funeral director will be aware that the family is distraught when a loved one has died.
They will take over all the responsibilities including the paperwork. Often one phone call is enough to start the process.
- Marriage
It is perfectly possible to be married in Spain. There is quite a lot of paperwork, however. Some evidence must be provided that both parties are single, and birth certificates are also required.
A divorced person must present a Certificado de Ley prepared by a lawyer and legalized by a Spanish consul in the country of origin to the effect that there is a valid divorce.
These documents must be officially translated into Spanish and accompanied by the certificate of apostille, which verifies them.
- Divorce
Since 1981 it is possible to get a divorce in Spain. Even foreigners who have been married in other countries can, if they are now residents in Spain, obtain a divorce here, which will be recognized in their home country. You will have to have been married for one full year, before a petition for divorce will be heard.
You will need to formalise this before a notario, and you will need a lawyer who will help you with the financial arrangements. If you want to change your nationality, you will find that a lot of complications will arise, as Spain does not recognize dual citizenship.
The whole process takes up to a year, and you will do well to have a skilled gestor or abogado handle your application.
All in all family matters in Spain are not that different from anywhere else in the world...
